HELP 06 XLT will not fill up with gas.

[dothedeww]

I have a 2006 XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 V6 with 87000 miles.

Went to the dealer for my free oil change 3 days ago...as usual...and they always manager to screw soemthing up. So I go to fill up with gas afterwards..and it takes 3 gallons and clicks off. I was down to below a quarter tank so I know it needs more than that. Try to put more in...wiggle the pump, pull it out, turn it...keeps clicking off after $.07. I tried filling up today at 3 different stations..got about a gallon from each station. Looked down the fill hole and its clear as far as I can see.

Any ideas?

If it makes a difference we just got our first freezing temperature of the year 2 days ago...but it has been in the 60's during the day.

EDIT: forgot to mention after filling and shutting off...you can hear a like loud hissing coming from the tank...

 

[dothedeww]

ok..spent 4 hours underneath it today.

Removed all lines and ran coat hanger through them...and blew air and ran water through..no problems in the fill line or the pressure release line.

Blew air into the tank...and the tank just expanded.....which believes me the EVAP canister on top the tank is not working correctly, trapping all the pressure inside the tank.

Its all back together for now, but this week I'm gonna drop the tank and I guess replace the EVAP canister on top the tank?

Tried asking the dealer and they said "nu uh, there is no evap container on top the fuel tank..."...but theres something on top of it that is the size of a muffler...and according to another post I found on google, someone with an 06 mountaineer had the same problem. Also, said the tank was $300...great.

I also looked, and the emissions control warranty is 8 yr/80,000 miles. Figures I had 86000 on mine now.

 

[bill32399]

I had that problem with 2 of my Mazda 3's but I had a check engine light on with it.

 

[dothedeww]

yea thats whats stumping me. No codes at all. The only other thing I could think was maybe something was stuffed in the filler hose..and got to the tank...and now it stuck in one of the vents?

I would think it would throw some sort of code..since the pressure must be building inside the tank

 

[eXcali]

If your pressure was to high you should be throwing a code. As far as the fill-up thing I don't think the pressure would be your problem as air could escape through the fill tube and you'd get a gulping sound.

Try pumping your gas a little slower, a lot of stations will have their pumps set to fast as a ploy to con a few bucks out of someone who doesn't want to fillup but isn't paying attention.

 

[dothedeww]

I tried filling up like barely touching the handle...and tried 5 different stations...getting 1/2 a gallon to start...and it came back up the filler tube. Then if you let it sit for about 45 seconds....u can get another 1/2 gallon before you top the filler tube.

Tested the little spring thing and its loose...no kink in the fill hose...nothing caught in it.

When you fill the tank with air..you hear a high pitched whistle coming up the fill hole....but very little air. If you unhook the pressure release hose and blow air up it, you get a full blast out of the release spot...leading me to believe its not clogged.

So basically....i unhooked everything except the tank and the evap canister..blew air into the tank and no air came out...well very ltitle until I pressed in the spring and heard PSSSSST and it all came out.

 

[eXcali]

I'm not 100% sure on the 06, but most vehicles have a double layered fill tube. Its actually a tube inside of a tube. Tryp pulling it from the fill spout and tank then try pouring a gallon of water down it quickly. This will tell you 100% if you have a kink inside the hose. From your discription thats exactly what this sounds like.

 

[dothedeww]

I'm not 100% sure on the 06, but most vehicles have a double layered fill tube. Its actually a tube inside of a tube. Tryp pulling it from the fill spout and tank then try pouring a gallon of water down it quickly. This will tell you 100% if you have a kink inside the hose. From your discription thats exactly what this sounds like.

yea...i did unhook the fill hose from the tank..and poured a ton of water down the fill hole...and it all came right out. no problem at all...I'm guessing this would be a good test of a possible kink in the hose?

 

[bill32399]

You know I had a freind that had an 06 and his gas gauge went out on him. Said he was full when he was not. Could your tank be full and your gauge be wrong? just a shot in the dark.

 

[dothedeww]

You know I had a freind that had an 06 and his gas gauge went out on him. Said he was full when he was not. Could your tank be full and your gauge be wrong? just a shot in the dark.

I had thought that...but I hadnt filled up in 3 days and it only took .5 gallons. Plus when you push in the spring, theres no gas leaking out...so I guess that means theres not much in there? Unless Im getting like 50mpg..then I think im pretty low. My gauge is moving...slowly...lol. Im below a quarter tank now...so I cant drive far.

When I turn off the car after a drive, and open the gas cap..there is a whoosing sound....kinda like pressure being released or something. I still dont know why I wouldnt be throwing a code for EVAP canister..but everything I have tried points to that.

I mean..4 hours of blowing air in different tubes and fishing coat hangers through...ive tested everything I know how to.

And I hate to take it to the dealer and pay the $100 diagnostic fee...plus labor for however long it takes them to find the problem.

Any more ideas...simple ones I could be missing?

 

[bill32399]

On my Mazda's there was an EVAP valve that would lock up and cause exactly what your discribing and a few other things. Those have the Focus motor in them and the system is designed by Ford too. I wonder if there is a soft code in the computer that might help, you got a friend with a scanner?

 

[dothedeww]

Ive got a scanner...and it doesnt read any codes at all.

Ill check again tommrow, because I havent checked since I took everything apart.

Im guessing it could be the pressure release valve or something little causing it to have trouble, but I still think it should throw a code. For once I wish it would throw a code, so I have somewhere to start.

 

[dothedeww]

Woke up this morning, turned it on and ta-da, check engine light.

havent read the codes yet but when I do ill post.

 

[bill32399]

Thats one toughf truck you got there. It does'nt cry for anything!

 

[dothedeww]

Thats one toughf truck you got there. It does'nt cry for anything!

haha yea I know

So the code is P0451
EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM PRESSURE SENSOR

So is that just teh sensor...or the whole EVAP canister...how do I access the sensor?

 

[bill32399]

Nice, wish I could help you with the locations though.

 

[dothedeww]

Nice, wish I could help you with the locations though.

yea, im looking online, and it says its usually a wiring problem...which makes me even more confused.

And the dealers are no help, they still swear there is no evap canister on top the gas tank....according to their diagrams.

 

[dothedeww]

hmm...TADA

Description of the Complaint:
The filling of gas in the vehicle is almost impossible- the gas shuts off every 2-3 gallons then spits gas back out all over the person trying to fill it. Resulting in gas being spilled out everywhere on the vehicle, the driver, the ground. This began happening every few times getting gas and now it is everytime. I looked this up online to find a TSB 07-25-3 problem accompanied by DTC P0451 saying this happens alot on ford explorers built before 11/27/07. I called the ford dealer service department they said this happens all the time. That the evap canister and vapor line will have to be replaced. Why is this not a recall? it's not safe to have gas sprayed on you and the car and ground everytime you try to get gas. Thank you for your concern.

http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Complaint/2006/Ford/Explorer

 

[bill32399]

Not enughf people killed yet

 

[dothedeww]

weird...im suprised its not a recall...i guess ill raise hell